Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was charged on Wednesday with tampering with the final audit report into a defunct state investment fund, adding to a long list of corruption allegations against him since he was ousted in May's elections.

Najib was charged along with Arul Kanda Kandasamy, the former head of the 1MDB (1 Malaysia Development Board) fund, which is being investigated in the US and other countries for alleged cross-border embezzlement and money laundering.

Najib pleaded not guilty to abusing power to order the modification of the report in February 2016 before it was presented to the Public Accounts Committee, in order to protect himself from disciplinary and legal action.

Kandasamy, who was detained overnight by anti-graft officials, pleaded not guilty to abetting Najib.

The charges came after the auditor-general revealed last month that some details had been removed from the 1MDB report.

Kandasamy led 1MDB from 2015 until he was terminated in June.

The two men were released on bail, and face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

Kuala Lumpur - 12 December 2018

1. Various of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arriving at court

2. Najib walking through court

3. Media outside court

4. Various of police outside court

5. Various of Arul Kandasamy, former head of the 1MDB (1 Malaysia Development Board) fund, arriving at court

6. Kandasamy walking through court

7. Najib's lawyer Shafee Abdullah arriving for news briefing

8. SOUNDBITE (Malay) Shafee Abdullah, Najib Razak's lawyer:

"The charge against him (Razak) is alleging he used his position to receive favours for himself, as to protect himself from any repercussions in terms of civil or criminal repercussions with regards to the 1MDB."

A Malaysian judge on Monday ordered former Prime Minister Najib Razak to enter a defence at his first corruption trial linked to the multibillion-dollar looting at the 1MDB state investment fund that helped spur his shocking election ouster last year.

A calm Najib said in court he would testify in his defence when the trial resumes.

High Court Judge Mohamad Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali said the prosecution had established its case on charges of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering.

The seven charges relate to 42 million ringgit (10.1 million US dollars) that allegedly went into Najib's bank accounts from SRC International, a former unit of the 1MDB fund.

The judge said it was clear that Najib, who was also finance minister at the time, had wielded authority and power in SRC and taken actions for personal interest.

He said the prosecution has established dishonesty in misappropriating the funds.

Defence lawyers said Najib would be the first witness called when the trial resumes December 3.

"So you will find everybody around Datuk Seri Najib and 1MDB, and SRC (company linked to Najib) are all people arranged by Jho Low (fugitive billionaire). So everything he (Jho Low) says was in fact followed."

Malaysia's 1MDB case against Goldman Sachs was postponed on Monday until October 22.

Malaysian prosecutors requested the postponement during a brief hearing in Kuala Lumpur attended by David Cope, the head of financial crime compliance for Goldman Sachs Asia.

In September, authorities filed criminal charges against 17 current and former directors at three Goldman Sachs subsidiaries for their role in the alleged multibillion-dollar ransacking of state investment fund 1MDB.

Malaysian and US prosecutors allege that bond sales organized by Goldman Sachs for 1MDB provided one of the means for associates of former Malaysian leader Najib Razak to steal billions over several years from a fund that was ostensibly set up to accelerate Malaysia's economic development.

The government in December filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs and two former executives for breaches of securities laws including making false, misleading statements to investors.

Kuala Lumpur - 30 September 2019

1. Various of David Cope, the head of financial crime compliance for Goldman Sachs Asia, waiting in Kuala Lumpur High Court

Thailand's disbanded opposition Future Forward Party (FFP) attacked the government on Sunday for allegedly colluding with Malaysia's former administration to cover up the 1MDB financial scandal, for which former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak is now standing trial.

The accusation comes a day ahead of the launch of a no-confidence debate in the Thai parliament against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and five Cabinet members.

The Future Forward Party, which won the third highest number of seats in last March's general election, was dissolved on Friday by Thailand's Constitutional Court for violating election laws.

Party spokeswoman Pannika Wanich said at a press conference that because she was one of the FFP MPs who lost their seats, she was presenting the case the party had prepared about the 1MDB scandal.

Pannika's assertions were generally known and break no new ground.

However, all have previously been treated as sideshows to the case, and this is the first major effort to spotlight any involvement by Thailand.

She accused the Thai government of aiding the fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, by allowing him to come to the country after Interpol had issued a Red Notice on him.

According to the immigration record presented during the press conference, the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal came into Thailand five times between 2016 to 2018 and left the country on 13 May 2018, days after Malaysia held a general election that unseated the ruling party.

US investigators say at least $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB by Najib's associates and laundered through layers of bank accounts in the US and other countries to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, art works, jewelry and other extravagances.

More than $700 million from the fund allegedly landed in Najib's bank account.

"All of this led us to believe that the government of (Thai Prime Minister) Prayuth Chan-ocha is hiding the truth about the biggest financial crime in the world, the criminal case that 10 countries are pursuing wrongdoers to receive justice and to bring back 140 billion baht (US $4 billion) to return to the Malaysian people."

"The Red Notice of Jho Low, it was shocking that Thailand ignored Interpol's Red Notice. And the only two countries who did that, who do that continuously, are China and Thailand. And who are we? China is China but we are Thai. So this is unacceptable. We need a more responsible government."

"We have issued compound (fines), compound notice against all of these people and entities and individuals for the purpose of them to pay up the fine. The fine can go up 2.5 times of the amount that they have received. We have opened up investigation papers for all of these individuals, there are 80 of them, and we hope that by the time they receive this compound notice they will take it seriously and pay up."

"Our investigation will show that these moneys that they have received, that we are now seeking back by way of compound, are moneys from 1MDB (1 Malaysia Development Board) they belong to the Malaysian public."

"Roughly 420 million ringgit. So the individuals or the entities on their own, we're looking at someone who would have received as low as 500 thousand (ringgit) and as high as, for an individual, 25 million (ringgit) or as an entity that have received about 134 million (ringgit)."

The stepson of Malaysian ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak pleaded not guilty on Friday to laundering 248 million (US dollars) from the 1MDB state investment fund, becoming the third person in his family to face charges in the scandal.

Hollywood producer Riza Aziz was freed on bail a day after being detained by anti-graft officials.

He was solemn as he appeared in court to be charged with receiving the illicit funds between 2011 and 2012 in the U.S. and Singapore.

The charge sheets said the money was misappropriated from 1MDB and channeled into bank accounts of his Hollywood company Red Granite Pictures Inc., which produced films including the Martin Scorsese-directed "The Wolf of Wall Street."

Riza, 42, was charged with five counts of money laundering, and he could face up to five years in prison, a fine or both, on each count if he is convicted.

Najib is now on trial for graft after his electoral defeat. His wife Rosmah Mansor has also pleaded not guilty to money laundering linked to 1MDB.

Kuala Lumpur - 5 July 2019

1. Wide of media surrounding producer Riza Aziz

2. Various of Aziz leaving the courthouse, escorted by lawyers and security

Malaysia's Member of Parliament Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday that failure of governance led to the large-scale corruption scandal at Malaysia's state investment fund known as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB.

Speaking at the New Economy Forum in Singapore, Anwar Ibrahim blamed corrupt leaders for his country's missing billions, but also stressed that international financial institutions and other actors had contributed to problems by allowing excess spending to continue.

Earlier in November US authorities charged a fugitive Malaysian financier and two former Goldman Sachs bankers in a money laundering and bribery scheme that allegedly pilfered billions from the state investment fund.

The corruption scandal involving the fund rocked a political earthquake, contributing to the ousting of Malaysia's long-ruling coalition in May.

Then-Prime Minister Najib Razak, who set up the fund, now faces criminal charges in Malaysia - accusations he has consistently denied.

Najib's successor, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is currently under pressure to reform the country.

Following his landslide victory in a by-election in October, Ibrahim is widely expected to take over from Mahathir.

Mahathir, the world's oldest leader at 93, has said he expects to step down in two years and will keep his promise to hand over power to Anwar.

Ibrahim said that Mahathir should be given the "space and support" to undertake economic reforms, adding that he saw no reason not to trust that Mahathir wouldn't honour an agreement to hand over power to Ibrahim in 2020.

Singapore - 6 November 2018

++STARTS ON SOUNDBITE++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Member of Parliament: (Commenting on the large-scale corruption scandal at Malaysia's state investment fund known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB)

"It's the failure of governance, I mean, you allow corrupt leaders to squander as much as possible, and the elites were mute and complicit to the crime. International financial institutions, and Goldman Sachs of course, so many others. I mean, complicit to a crime, when you know for a fact that billions are squandered from the public purse. I mean, I was of course (back) then opposition leader, I brought up... I was the first member of parliament to bring up the issue of 1MDB in 2010. But I did not envisage that this squandering would go to this extent. Which means, it is an entire failure of our system; the judiciary compromised, the media: mute, the enforcement agencies were all in the peril of the leadership. And worse, international financial institutions, that we depended upon, or leaders in western governments, for freedom, democracy and justice. Not that they were complicit to the crime, but then they were just seemingly tolerant of the excesses. And I think the lesson that we have learned: first, bring back order to our house, bring back good governance. But also give a strong message that this must end."

++BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Member of Parliament: (Commenting on whether he believes he can trust Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will honour an agreement to hand power to Anwar in two years)

"No reason not to trust him, there's a signed document, he signed, this was an understanding in January, prior to the general elections and when I was still in prison. I was not part of that arrangement, but it was with all party leaders, and he has been reiterating that point consistently, and there is no reason why I should bother to... I think for now, given a choice I wouldn't want to talk about it. You know why? He should be given a free hand. The space and support to undertake these reformations, which are tough. We have been used to a system of governance for the last 60 years, termed democracy, but authoritarian. And of course Mahathir was familiar with that system too, but now he's back in a new Malaysia, and I think he should be given all the support possible.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak departed from the country's Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday after he was interrogated over a corruption scandal that could lead to criminal charges against him.

Najib was summoned by the commission nearly two weeks after the defeat of his long-ruling coalition in national elections.

The loss was partly blamed on public anger over alleged graft at the 1MDB state investment fund that Najib set up.

US investigators say Najib's associates stole and laundered 4.5 billion US dollars from the fund between 2009 and 2014, some of which landed in Najib's bank account.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing since the scandal erupted in 2015.

As prime minister, he sacked critics in his government and muzzled the media to try to survive the fallout.

The former prime minister and his wife have been barred from leaving the country after the new government reopened an investigation into the scandal.

Police have raided his home and other properties linked to him, seizing hundreds of expensive designer handbags and luggage stuffed with cash, jewellery and other valuables.

Kuala Lumpur - 22 May 2018

1. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak leaving the country's Anti-Corruption Commission, talking to media and then getting in to vehicle which drives off

Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak's third corruption trial opened Monday, with prosecutors saying Najib had tampered with a government audit of the 1MDB state investment fund in a bid to avoid civil and criminal proceedings.

Najib, 66, faces multiple corruption charges linked to the looting of the 1MDB fund, a scandal that contributed to his election defeat last year.

Najib is being jointly tried with Arul Kanda Kandasamy, 1MDB ex-CEO, who is accused of abetting him. Monday's trial opened just days after another court ordered Najib to enter his defense in his first corruption case linked to money entering his account from a former 1MDB unit.

His ongoing second trial started in August.

In all, Najib faces 42 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft, abuse of power and money laundering in five criminal cases over 1MDB corruption that led to investigations in the United States and several countries.

His wife and stepson, several officials from his government, and the U.S. firm Goldman Sachs also face charges related to the scandal.

U.S. investigators say at least 4.5 billion U.S. dollars was stolen from 1MDB by Najib's associates and laundered through layers of bank accounts in the U.S. and other countries to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, art works, jewelry and other extravagances.

More than 700 million U.S. dollars from the fund allegedly landed in Najib's bank account.

Prosecutors earlier made slight amendments to the charge against Najib and Arul Kanda, adding specific passages in the audit report that were doctored.

Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah appealed for more time, saying the defense team faces "three battle fronts and it is worse than Waterloo." But the judge ordered the trial to proceed.

Sri Ram said prosecutors will at a later stage summon Arul Kanda as a prosecution witness. Arul Kanda's lawyer, N. Sivananthan, expressed surprise, saying his client can't give evidence against himself and that he will object at the time.

Kuala Lumpur – 18 November 2019

1. Various arrivals of Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak leaving and entering the elevator

2. Various of Arul Kanda Kandasamy, former 1MDB CEO, leaving and heading to elevator

Malaysian prosecutors Tuesday wrapped up their case against former Prime Minister Najib Razak in his first corruption trial after five months, paving the way for his second court case to begin.

Prosecutors told the High Court that they were resting their case against Najib after questioning 57 witnesses since the trial began April 3.

The judge will hear closing arguments from both prosecutors and defence lawyers on Oct. 22 and will rule on Nov 11 whether Najib should enter his defence.

Najib faces 42 charges of corruption, abuse of power and money laundering in five separate criminal cases linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund that contributed to his shocking election ouster last year.

The seven charges in his first trial specifically relate to the suspicious transfer of 42 million ringgit (10 million US dollars) from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit, into Najib's bank accounts via intermediary companies between 2011 and 2015.

Najib is accused of using his position to receive the money for approving a government guarantee for a government loan to SRC, committing criminal breach of trust and accepting proceeds from unlawful activities.

His lawyers say Najib is the victim of conspiracy by rogue bankers, including one identified by U.S. investigators as the mastermind behind the 1MDB fiasco.

Prosecutors say Najib, who set up 1MDB in 2009, was the real power behind the fund and SRC.

In his second trial due to begin Wednesday, Najib faces four counts of abusing his power to receive a total of 2.3 billion ringgit (547 million US dollars) from 2011 to 2014, and 21 other charges of receiving, using and transferring illicit funds linked to 1MDB.

The trial could be delayed again as the defence is challenging the government's appointment of a former senior judge as the chief prosecutor in the case.

Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debts and is being investigated in the United States and several other countries for alleged cross-border embezzlement and money laundering.

U.S. investigators say more than 4.5 billion dollars was stolen from 1MDB by associates of Najib between 2009 and 2014, including the money that landed in Najib's bank accounts.

They say the ill-gotten gains were laundered through layers of bank accounts in the United States and other countries to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, art works, jewelry, and other extravagances.

Public anger over the scandal eventually led to the ouster of Najib's long-ruling coalition in May last year, ushering in the first change of power since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957.

The new government reopened investigations stifled under Najib and barred him and his wife from leaving the country. Police also seized jewelry and hundreds of handbags and other valuables estimated at more than 1.1 billion ringgit (264 million US dollars) from properties linked to Najib.

Kuala Lumpur – 27 August 2019

1. Various Najib Razak arrivals

2. Various of Najib heading to elevator

3. Cutaway of media

4. Najib heading to elevator

5. Various exterior courtroom, signage

6. Prosecution lawyer Sithambaram arriving at presser

7. Cutaway of media

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sithambaram, Malaysian Lead Prosecutor:

"Well, we are confident that we have proved a 'prima facie' (burden of proof) case, which warrants the accused in this case 'datuk Seri' Najib to answer the charges leveled against him by the prosecution."

"We are very confident of our own defence, we are very confident that defence ought not to be called (trial should cease), yea, in this case I think we have knocked down virtually everything (prosecution evidence) but as I said I don't want to say more."

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak sought to show he was the victim of a cunning fugitive financier as he opened his defence Tuesday in his first corruption trial linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.

Najib is defending himself against seven charges of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering relating to 42 million ringgit (10.1 million U.S. dollars) that allegedly went into his bank accounts from SRC International, a former unit of the 1MDB fund.

Standing in the witness stand in a crisp blue suit, Najib outlined 1MDB's formation and the role of financier Low Taek Jho, who has been identified by American investigators as the mastermind behind the massive scandal that is being probed in several countries.

Najib's defence attorney said Tuesday that "the entire management of 1MDB and SRC were paid off by Jho Low, they were all eating from the palms of Jho Low."

The fund ran into problems over its Islamic bond issuance and Malaysia's cabinet "reluctantly" agreed to take over in 2009 to prevent embarrassment to the king and adverse impact on the country's bond market, he said.

Najib denies any wrongdoing and accuses Malaysia's new government of seeking political vengeance.

This is the first of five criminal cases against Najib over the 1MDB corruption scandal. His wife, several officials from his government, and the U.S. bank Goldman Sachs also face charges related to the case.

Kuala Lumpur - 3 December 2019

1. Pan of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arriving at the courtroom

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's second corruption trial started Wednesday, with a prosecutor alleging he pilfered billions of dollars from the 1MDB state investment fund through an "elaborate charade" and then sought to cover his tracks.

Najib faces 42 charges of corruption, abuse of power and money laundering in five separate criminal cases linked to the 1MDB scandal that contributed to his shocking electoral defeat last year.

His first trial, involving seven charges linked to transfer of funds from a former 1MDB unit to Najib's bank accounts, ended Tuesday after five months. The judge will rule Nov. 11 on whether to acquit him or call his defense.

In the second trial, Najib faces four counts of abusing his power to receive a total of 2.3 billion ringgit ($546 million) from 2011 to 2014, and 21 other charges of receiving, using, and transferring illicit funds linked to 1MDB.

He faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of abuse of power and up to five years for each of the 21 money laundering charges.

After the scandal first broke in 2015, he said Najib and Low used fake letters and checks to pretend that the $681 million channeled into Najib's bank accounts were largely a donation from an Arab prince. Najib also interfered in the investigations, Sri Ram said.

Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debts and is being investigated in the U.S. and several other countries.

Kuala Lumpur – 28 August 2019

1. Various of Najib Razak walking towards courtroom

2. Local media

3. Signage reading (Malay): "Criminal High Court 1"

4. Security

5. Exterior courtroom

6. Razak's lawyer Shafee Abdullah stepping out

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Shafee Abdullah, Najib Razak Defence Lawyer:

"The 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Board) trial has started today, officially it has started today, the significant thing that happened today is the opening statement (by the prosecutor)."

8. Wide press conference

9 SOUNDBITE (English) Shafee Abdullah, Najib Razak Defence Lawyer:

"I would like them to prove that (Jho Lows involvement), I would like them to prove that, you can see from the SRC trial (previous trial) theres a great deal of struggle, by the prosecution to even link us with Jho Low (fugitive billionaire)."

A luxury yacht allegedly bought with money stolen from the multibillion-dollar looting of a state investment fund arrived on Tuesday at a Malaysian port.

The 250 million US dollar Equanimity, seized by Indonesia off Bali in February in cooperation with the US FBI, was handed over to Malaysian authorities on Monday at the Indonesian island of Batam near Singapore.

A lawyer appointed by the Malaysian Attorney General said the defendants who claim they are the legitimate owners of the vessel would have the opportunity to defend their claim at court.

The US Justice Department, one of several foreign agencies investigating the alleged looting of the 1MDB fund by associates of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, had listed the yacht among the assets it could seize and sell to recover stolen funds.

Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009 but it accumulated billions in debts. The 1MDB scandal led to his shocking electoral defeat in May and Najib is now facing charges.

Following the handover of the yacht to Malaysia, the Justice Department has sought to suspend legal proceedings to determine what Malaysia plans to do with the vessel.

Malaysian and international authorities want to question Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, who the Justice Department alleges was a key figure in the theft and international laundering of 4.5 billion US dollars from 1MDB.

US investigators said Low, known widely as Jho Low, bought the yacht with proceeds diverted from 1MDB.

Low, who has so far evaded arrest, issued a statement through his US attorney on Monday protesting the handover of the yacht as an "illegal act" for ignoring court proceedings in the United States.

Port Klang - 7 August 2018

1. Equanimity yacht arriving

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sitpah Selvaratnam, lawyer appointed by the Malaysian Attorney General of Malaysia:

"And the reason for the arrest (seizure of vessel) was that the 1MDB group claims ownership to this vessel, the Equanimity, because they believe their moneys had been misappropriated and used to purchase the vessel, so that claim is based on the allegations that was filed by the DOJ (Department of Justice) in America in June last year."

3. Wide of news conference

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sitpah Selvaratnam, lawyer appointed by the Malaysian Attorney General of Malaysia:

"The defendants who claim that they are the owners, the registered owners, have the opportunity to turn up in court to defend the claim and establish their ownership and that issue will finally be determined by the admiralty court in Kuala Lumpur."

Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng spoke to The Associated Press on Friday about the investigations into the 1MDB fund that have been reopened by new new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib set up the 1MDB fund when he took power in 2009, but it accumulated billions in debts.

US investigators say Najib's associates stole and laundered 4.5 billion US dollars from the fund from 2009 to 2014, some of which landed in Najib's bank account.

Mahathir, previously prime minister for 22 years until 2003, was spurred out of retirement by the 1MDB scandal.

Lim said allegations that surfaced in 2015 that some 700 million US dollars from 1MDB was channeled into Najib's bank accounts were the "game changer" that prompted Mahathir, 92, to work with former foes including himself and others who were jailed during Mahathir's first stint as leader.

"I said no one is so stupid to put money into his own personal bank account especially if you are dealing with the prime minister. Who is stupid to do that," he said.

"But when we discover that that is indeed the truth, we were shocked beyond belief."

If Najib had won another term, Lim said Malaysia would've plunged into a "deeper black hole."

"Imagine if they had won another term, the glass would be empty," he said. "The glass half full will allow us to rehabilitate our finances, to recuperate so that we can be reinvigorated to be a dynamic economy."

Lim, who recently revealed graft in some projects linked to 1MDB after opening up access to files in the Finance Ministry previously limited only to a top few, said he believed most of the mega scandals have been uncovered.

But he said there are many "mini 1MDB" scandals on a smaller scale that will be revealed over time.

Putrajaya – 29 June 2018

1. Various Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng talking with reporter

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lim Guan Eng, Malaysian Finance Minister:

"This realisation, that we have to work together, as a force (opposition) if we want to save the country, if you want to change the government, and that specific event, was the discovery that indeed, the prime minister had 2.6 billion ringgit in his personal bank account. Now when this was first revealed to me, I didn't believe it, I said no one was so stupid to put money into his own personal bank account, even, especially when you're dealing with a prime minister. Who is so stupid to do that, I don't believe it, even though he's my political opponent, he cannot be so stupid to do that but when we discovered that it was indeed the truth we were shocked beyond belief."

3. Finance Minister looking at brochure

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Lim Guan Eng, Malaysian Finance Minister:

"Even if that amount (former leader Najib Razak' s money) was discovered or revealed in the United States, it would be mind boggling, even for a country as wealthy, as rich, as the United States, but when it happens in Malaysia, a small country like Malaysia, its completely out of this world."

5. Finance Minister with reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lim Guan Eng, Malaysian Finance Minister:

"Just imagine that if, they (Najib's party) had won another term, one more term I think would put Malaysia into a deeper black hole."

7. Finance Minister hands

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Lim Guan Eng, Malaysian Finance Minister:

"Try to look at the glass half full, not half empty. Imagine if, they had won another term, the glass would be empty, at least it is now half full. We can still do something about it, but if we wait for another term, nothing we do would help, so the glass half full, will allow us as I said to rehabilitate our finances, to recuperate so that we can be reintegrated, to be a dynamic economy that Malaysia deserve to be."

Malaysia said on Thursday it will not cancel a skyscraper project billed as the tallest in the region even though three billion ringgit (747 million US dollars) from the venture has been misappropriated by the 1MDB state fund linked to former premier Najib Razak.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said Najib's government has since 2012 guaranteed borrowings, extended advances and purchased land from TRX City Sendirian Berhad amounting to nearly 3.7 billion ringgit (921.4 million US dollars), but 3.067 billion (764 million US dollars) of that was misappropriated by 1MDB, mainly to repay its loans.

The new revelation of embezzlement linked to 1MDB comes more than a month after Najib's coalition, which had ruled Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957, suffered a shocking defeat in May 9 polls partly due to voters' anger over the scandal.

The fund is being investigated in the U.S. and several other countries for alleged theft and money laundering.

Lim said the stolen TRX fund was a "classic example" of how government money was misappropriated by 1MDB and that he had instructed the TRX management to lodge complains with authorities investigating the defunct fund.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Putrajaya – 21 June 2018

1. Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng arriving for news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lim Guan Eng, Malaysian Finance Minister:

"The TRX project (Tun Razak Exchange) will be completed, despite more than three (3) billion ringgit of government funds misappropriated from TRX City Sendirian Berhad (Private Limited) by 1MDB (1 Malaysia Development Board). Cabinet at its meeting yesterday has decided to inject a ceiling cap of two point eight (2.8) billion ringgit, to ensure the completion of the Tun Razak Exchange."

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Kuala Lumpur - 30 March 2018

3. STILL: The Exchange 106 under construction within the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) area

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Putrajaya – 21 June 2018

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Lim Guan Eng, Malaysian Finance Minister:

"Ive instructed the management of TRX city, represented here by its CEO, Datuk Haji (Honourific title) Azmar Talib and the Chief Operating Officer, Tan Hwa Ming to lodge a report with the investigative panel of 1MDB, and the police, on the amount that has been misappropriated."

At a fishing village in Pekan, Pahang state, Mohamad bin Muda is hoping that Prime Minister Najib Razak will be given a fresh mandate when Malaysian voters cast their ballots on Wednesday.

The 69-year old fisherman has faith in Najib, who he sees as someone who helps rural folks like him.

Malaysia's general elections on May 9 will see a battle for votes not just along an entrenched racial divide in the country but also between the rural poor, mostly ethnic Malays, who preferred the status quo and the urban middle-class who wanted change.

Razak is seeking a third term in office under a cloud of a corruption scandal.

He has dished out general cash handouts and other benefits for rural Malays to preserve their support after ethnic Chinese and Indians flocked to the opposition in the last two elections.

He faces a stiff challenge from his former mentor and strongman Mahathir Mohamad, who heads a four-party opposition alliance to oust Najib and end the ruling coalition's 60 years of unbroken rule.

Mahathir still has strong support among rural Malays, who remember him for transforming Malaysia from an agricultural backwater into a key trading nation under his 22-year rule before he retired in 2003.

But Mohamad dismisses the corruption scandal at 1MDB, the state fund that was set up by Najib in 2009 to promote economic programmes but accumulated billions in debt after associates of Najib allegedly stole and laundered from it.

For James Chow, a 41 year old auto-repair shop owner in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia would benefit from a change in government.

And although he believes that Mahathir is not perfect, he remembers the time when his business was doing well during that period when Mahathir ruled Malaysia.

Research analyst Rashaad Ali from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies says the rural seats in parliament are key for both the ruling coalition and the opposition in order to win the election.

According to political research firm Politweet, 125 of the 222 parliamentary seats at stake are rural seats.

"We believe in Najib. He's given a lot to the people, just like his father before him, giving a lot to the people, for example to FELDA (Federal Land Development Agency) people. I can see Najib helping us, fishermen, like subsidies, and living expenses, to help fishermen. Unlike previously under Mahathir, 22 years, I see nothing received for us fishermen here."

Pekan, Pahang State - 28 April 2018

4. Various of Prime Minister Najib Razak shaking hands with supporters while campaigning after he filed his nomination as candidate

"I think that (1MDB) thing's good, because now I can see people can go to the Hajj (annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) sponsored by 1MDB, every year. So I see that as a benefit, good. People like me here in Pahang, I can't afford to go to Hajj without this sponsorship. I really think those people talking bad about Najib and 1MDB are only talking nonsense, they're really just jealous and not doing any good. That's all I see."

"Doctor Mahathir is not the cleanest politician ever, the cleanest leader ever, as well. But the thing is, when he was in power, when he was ruling the country, the country was booming. The country was doing very well. My shop was open during his time as well. We were doing well. I mean, the world would know Malaysia for something good, not for the 1MDB scandal kind of thing."

Singapore - 26 April 2018

14. Set-up shot of Rashaad Ali

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Rashaad Ali, research analyst, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies:

"For Barisan Nasional, UMNO (the United Malays National Organisation) point of view, urban votes are significantly harder for them to retain, simply because urban votes, urban seats rather are more mixed in terms of their population, because the seats are mixed ethnicities, and these seats tend to favour opposition. So urban seats, generally are safer bets for the opposition. On the other side, for rural seats, these are the crucial seats that the opposition will need to win in order for them to even have a chance of forming a government. For Barisan Nasional, these are the seats that they need to retain to ensure that they will be able to remain in power."

"This morning we have two separate cases. You witnessed that we appeared in court number one, the high court number one, which is the high court that is dealing with the trail of the 1MBD. Now that trial is fixed to commence today for the next few months, not continuously, but in substance taking almost the whole of the relevant months until November. But when we appeared today the prosecution has asked for an adjournment of the matter."

The corruption trial of Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak entered a second day on Monday, with a central bank investigator taking the stand in the case involving the transfer of suspicious money into Najib's bank accounts.

One of few Southeast Asian leaders to be arraigned after losing office, Najib was solemn as he sat in the dock listening to the testimony.

Central bank investigator Azizul Adzani Mohamad Ghafar, the second witness, testified he secured documents in 2015 related to the bank accounts of Najib, SRC International and another company.

SRC is a former unit of 1MDB state investment fund, which US investigators say was pilfered of billions by Najib's associates.

The scandal involving 1MDB helped lead to Najib's election defeat last May.

The trial is the first of several against Najib, who faces 42 graft charges in one of the country's biggest criminal proceedings.

It specifically involved seven charges related to the transfer of 42 million ringgit (approx. 10.2 million US Dollars) from SRC into Najib's bank accounts via intermediary companies between 2011 and 2015.

He was accused of using his position to receive the money for approving a government guarantee for a government loan to SRC, committed criminal breach of trust and accepting proceeds from unlawful activities.

Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told reporters after the hearing ended for the day that prosecutors must prove that the former leader was aware that the money transferred into his account was from illegal sources.

"Just because money comes into my account doesn't mean I am in full knowledge that it comes from a wrong source," Shafee said.

He said the defence will grill Azizul in their cross-examination Tuesday.

Prosecutors said at the start of the trial on April 3 that Najib, who set up 1MDB in 2009, was the real power behind the fund.

Najib smiled, but didn't speak to reporters as he left the court.

His wife, Rosmah Mansor, also has been charged with money laundering and tax evasion linked to 1MDB, but has also pleaded not guilty and her trial date has not been set.

"This case is important. Not because of what it revealed, it's also important - or more important - what is not revealed, that we need to reveal, you understand?"

4. Cutaway of photographers

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Najib's lawyer:

"The issue is, does Dato Seri (a state title) Najib know the exact thing what is going on? Does he know, that is the basic premise, that just because the money comes into my account, doesn't mean I have full knowledge of the income from a wrong source."

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak pleaded not guilty Thursday to 25 new charges of abuse of power and money laundering over the multimillion-dollar looting of a state investment fund.

This brings the number of charges against Najib to 32 since his shocking election defeat in 9 May national polls.

Najib was calm as he pleaded not guilty in a crowded courtroom to four counts of abusing his power to receive a total of 2.3 billion ringgit (556 million US dollars) from 2011 to 2014. He will also stand trial on 21 other charges of receiving, using and transferring illicit funds linked to the 1MDB state fund.

He faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of abusing power under the anti-corruption law, and up to five years for each of the 21 charges under the anti-money laundering act.

A defiant Najib, who was detained Wednesday, but released on bail after his court appearance, welcomed the chance to clear his name. He repeated his assertion that the money was largely a political donation from Saudi Arabia's royal family ahead of 2013 national elections and that most was returned shortly after the polls.

In July and August, Najib was charged with seven counts of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering related to 42 million ringgit (US10.1 million US dollars) that went into his bank accounts from a former 1MDB subsidiary. He has pleaded not guilty and his trial is due to start next year.

Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debts and is being investigated in the US and several other countries for alleged cross-border embezzlement and money laundering.

The scandal first broke in 2015 when leaked documents showed that 681 million US dollars was transferred into Najib's bank account, leading to massive street rallies calling on him to resign. Najib fired critics in his government, including a deputy prime minister and the attorney-general, and muzzled the media to try to survive the fallout.

A new attorney-general cleared Najib in January 2016. But US investigators say Najib's associates stole and laundered 4.5 billion US dollars from the fund, including the money that landed in Najib's bank accounts.

Public anger over the scandal eventually led to the ouster of Najib's long-ruling coalition in May elections that ushered in the first change of power since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957.

The new government reopened investigations stifled under Najib and barred him and his wife from leaving the country. Police also seized jewelry and hundreds of handbags and other valuables estimated at more than 1.1 billion ringgit (273 million US dollars) from properties linked to Najib.

Police have said investigations show that 972 million US dollars was transferred into Najib's bank accounts from three companies linked to 1MDB.

Najib, 65, has accused Malaysia's new government under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of seeking political vengeance.

Kuala Lumpur - 20 September 2018

1. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at briefing

2. SOUNDBITE (Malay) Najib Razak, Former Malaysian Prime Minister:

"This issue of 2.6 billion ringgit is being used in an all-out manner to slander, humiliate, discredit me all this while."

3. Various media

4. SOUNDBITE (Malay) Najib Razak, Former Malaysian Prime Minister:

"These charges against me today will only give me a chance to clear my name: that is I'm not a thief."

5. Cutaway phone

6. SOUNDBITE (Malay) Najib Razak, Former Malaysian Prime Minister:

"I have returned a large portion, right after the end of the 13th general elections, so if we take that into account, we can come to a conclusion, and I hope that conclusion will lead to the truth coming out. The truth will come out in this court case."

Malaysia's detained former Prime Minister Najib Razak will face at least two dozen fresh charges of abuse of power and money laundering over the multimillion-dollar looting of a state investment fund.

Police and the anti-graft agency said that Najib was detained by the anti-graft agency on Wednesday over the transfer of 681 million US dollars into his bank account.

Najib attended court on Thursday, where he also faces several charges under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, according to the anti-graft agency.

The former Prime Minister, who has since been transferred into police custody, has called the case political vengeance.

Najib was earlier charged with multiple counts of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering over the scandal at the 1MDB fund, just months after his shocking electoral defeat.

He has pleaded not guilty and his trial is due to start next year.

Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debts and is being investigated in the US and several other countries for alleged cross-border embezzlement and money laundering.

The 1MDB scandal first broke in 2015 when leaked documents showed that 681 million US dollars were transferred into Najib's bank account, leading to massive street rallies calling on him to resign.

Najib fired critics in his government, including a deputy prime minister and the attorney-general, and muzzled the media to try to survive the fallout.

A new attorney-general cleared Najib in January 2016, saying it was a political donation from Saudi Arabia's royal family and most of it had been returned - an explanation that was met with widespread scepticism.

US investigators say Najib's associates stole and laundered 4.5 billion US dollars from the fund, some of which landed in Najib's bank account.

Public anger over the 1MDB scandal eventually led to the ouster of Najib's long-ruling coalition in May 9 polls and ushered in the first change of power since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957.